Chapter 14

           Asherodeuptothehouseinthehappiestframeofmind,Levinheardthebellringatthesideoftheprincipalentranceofthehouse.

           “Yes,that’ssomeonefromtherailwaystation,”hethought,“justthetimetobeherefromtheMoscowtrain...Whocoulditbe?Whatifit’sbrotherNikolay?Hedidsay:‘MaybeI’llgotothewaters,ormaybeI’llcomedowntoyou.’”Hefeltdismayedandvexedforthefirstminute,thathisbrotherNikolay’spresenceshouldcometodisturbhishappymoodofspring.Buthefeltashamedofthefeeling,andatonceheopened,asitwere,thearmsofhissoul,andwithasoftenedfeelingofjoyandexpectation,nowhehopedwithallhisheartthatitwashisbrother.Heprickeduphishorse,andridingoutfrombehindtheacaciashesawahiredthree-horsesledgefromtherailwaystation,andagentlemaninafurcoat.Itwasnothisbrother.“Oh,ifitwereonlysomenicepersononecouldtalktoalittle!”hethought.

           “Ah,”criedLevinjoyfully,flingingupbothhishands.“Here’sadelightfulvisitor!Ah,howgladIamtoseeyou!”heshouted,recognizingStepanArkadyevitch.

           “Ishallfindoutforcertainwhethershe’smarried,orwhenshe’sgoingtobemarried,”hethought.Andonthatdeliciousspringdayhefeltthatthethoughtofherdidnothurthimatall.

           “Well,youdidn’texpectme,eh?”saidStepanArkadyevitch,gettingoutofthesledge,splashedwithmudonthebridgeofhisnose,onhischeek,andonhiseyebrows,butradiantwithhealthandgoodspirits.